TCS

On August 18, 2025, the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) delegation, headed by Deputy Secretary-General ZUSHI Shuji, attended the TEMM26 Director General Meeting in Yantai, China. Building on the Pre-TEMM Meeting held in June, Director-General-level officials from China, Japan, and the ROK gathered to review detailed arrangements and discuss the expected outcomes for the upcoming Ministers’ Meeting.DSG ZUSHI delivered opening and closing remarks, highlighting that environmental cooperation was reaffirmed as a priority at the 9th Trilateral Summit, where “sustainable development, including climate change response” was identified as one of six key areas for cooperation. He emphasized TEMM’s role as a core mechanism for trilateral collaboration and shared updates on TCS initiatives, including the 4th Forum on Carbon Neutrality Goals of China, Japan, and the ROK, the side event on sand and dust storms at the 81st Session of ESCAP, and the successful conclusion of the 4th Trilateral Environmental Teachers’ Exchange Program (TTEP), which promotes cooperation on circular economy education. In his closing remarks, DSG ZUSHI expressed appreciation for the three countries’ strong commitment to a sustainable future and their continued support for TCS.Prior to the DG Meeting, a working-level meeting was held on August 17, where ministry officials actively exchanged views on TEMM26 preparations, reviewed progress on past initiatives, and discussed the newly adopted Tripartite Joint Action Plan on Environmental Cooperation (TJAP) 2026-2030.The 26th Tripartite Environment Ministers’ Meeting is scheduled to take place in Yantai, China, on September 27–28, 2025.▲Group photo▲DSG ZUSHI delivering remarks

On August 11, 2025, the 4th Trilateral Agricultural Ministers’ Meeting (TAMM) was held in Incheon, Republic of Korea (ROK). The meeting was chaired by Ms. SONG Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of the ROK, and attended by Mr. KOIZUMI Shinjiro, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, and Mr. HAN Jun, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China. The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) delegation, headed by Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup attended the meeting.The meeting began with the screening of an opening video jointly produced by the TCS and MAFRA. The three ministries acknowledged the TCS’s contributions to advancing trilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector. The ministers then exchanged views and shared recent policy developments on six key agenda items: Food Security, Animal Diseases, Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Revitalization, Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), and Global Cooperation. SG LEE highlighted the significance of the meeting, noting that it marked the resumption of TAMM after a hiatus of six years and nine months. He also underscored the importance of the Trilateral Young Rural Leaders’ Exchange Program (TREP), operated by the TCS since 2023, as a platform for connecting future generations in the agricultural sector.At the conclusion of the meeting, the ministers signed a Joint Communiqué outlining decisions on future cooperation. They agreed to further strengthen collaboration with the TCS to ensure steady progress under TAMM and its cooperation mechanisms. On the margins of the ministerial meeting, SG LEE paid bilateral courtesy calls on Ms. SONG Miryung, Mr. KOIZUMI Shinjiro, and Mr. HAN Jun.The Trilateral Agricultural Ministers’ Meeting was first convened in 2012 and has previously been held in April 2012 in the ROK, September 2015 in Japan, and November 2018 in China. The 5th TAMM will be hosted by Japan.▲ Group Photo▲ Meeting in progress▲ Ministers holding a Joint Communiqué▲SG LEE Hee-sup delivering opening remark▲ Opening video jointly produced by the TCS and MAFRA

The Trilateral Youth Summit (TYS) 2025 and its Closing Ceremony was held today in Kobe, Japan. The event was co-hosted by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, with support from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of China and the Republic of Korea.Under the theme “Designing a Future for All Generations: Solving Common Challenges for a Better Tomorrow,” a total of 48 undergraduate and graduate students from China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea participated in the Trilateral Youth Summit, following a five-day intensive program. The summit was attended by youth observers, and featured officials from the three foreign ministries as well as representatives from Kobe City.At the Youth Summit, student delegations representing China, Japan, the ROK, and TCS presented the outcomes of their discussions, moderated by the head of the model Japanese delegation. Committee chairs outlined policy recommendations and future directions for trilateral cooperation in four key areas: People-to-People Exchange & Youth Education, Sustainable Development & Disaster Relief, Economic Cooperation, Technology & Local Revitalization, and Health & Ageing Society. The session concluded with the adoption of the Joint Statement of the Trilateral Youth Summit 2025. In the statement, the leaders of the three delegations recognized their partnership as a vital force for regional peace and prosperity and acknowledged common challenges like demographic shifts, climate change, and natural disaster. The summit reaffirmed their commitment to a stronger, more inclusive, and future-oriented partnership that serves the common interests of their nations.Throughout the five-day program, participants took part in expert lectures, a Mayoral Dialogue with the Mayor of Himeji, and cultural activities in the Kansai region, including visits to EXPO 2025 in Osaka. These experiences provided a comprehensive platform for policy simulation, regional learning, and cultural exchange.The Trilateral Youth Summit, launched in 2014 to promote mutual understanding and friendship among the youth of China, Japan, and the ROK, rotates annually among the three countries. TYS2026 is scheduled to take place in the People’s republic of China.▲Trilateral Youth Summit 2025▲The head of Japan delegation presiding over the meeting▲TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup delivering closing remarks▲Group photo

On 4-7 August, 2025, the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) hosted the 4th Trilateral Environmental Teachers’ Exchange Program (TTEP) in Incheon, ROK, bringing together educators from Korea, Japan, and China under the theme “Shared Vision, Shared Responsibility, Shared Future.” The program aimed to strengthen regional cooperation on sustainability education through the lens of the circular economy.Building on the commitments made at the 25th Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting (TEMM) under the Tripartite Joint Action Plan 2021–2025, the TTEP marks a milestone in turning regional circular economy goals into classroom practice. This year’s program, aligned with TJAP’s focus on 3R policies and zero-waste cities, also welcomed teachers from diverse disciplines beyond environmental education.At the opening ceremony, TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup welcomed the participants and highlighted the program’s role in deepening understanding of circular economy concepts, facilitating knowledge-sharing, and promoting cross-border cooperation among teachers from the three countries. He underscored the value of combining lectures, policy discussions, case studies, and field visits to equip educators with practical tools for fostering environmental awareness and resource efficiency in schools.Following his remarks, representatives from the environment ministries of Korea, Japan, and China delivered congratulatory messages, reiterating the importance of trilateral environmental cooperation and extending best wishes for the program’s success.On the second day, expert lectures featured speakers from academia, business, and international organizations, addressing the topics:1) Korea’s Circular Economy Policy and School Engagement; 2) Case Study: Community and School-Based Resource Recycling in Korea; 3) How to Integrate Circular Economy into Cross-Disciplinary School Subjects.These sessions broadened participants’ perspectives on policy application, community engagement, and cross-disciplinary teaching. In the afternoon, participants were divided into two groups to design lesson plans for delivery to Korean elementary and high school students.On the third day, teachers visited Deokshin High School and Incheon Seo-gu Youth Center to deliver lessons on the themes of Marine Litter and the 3Rs, which received strong positive feedback from students. This marked the first time in TTEP history that participating teachers conducted classes directly for local students. The professionalism, dedication, and care demonstrated by educators from all three countries transcended nationality, leaving a lasting impression on both students and observers.In the afternoon, the group visited the Green Climate Fund headquarters, engaging in exchanges with experts on climate and environmental education practices. The teachers also paid a visit to the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ), where they learned about innovative sustainability measures implemented at the municipal level.The program concluded on the fourth day with a closing ceremony, during which participants reflected on their experiences and shared takeaways from the exchange.By fostering collaboration among policymakers, educators, and practitioners, TTEP strengthens the human and institutional foundations of the regional green economy. It equips teachers with knowledge, tools, and networks to inspire future generations toward building sustainable, zero-waste societies in the region. The outcomes of this year’s program will be reported to the 26th Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting.▲(DAY1) SG LEE delivering opening remarks▲(DAY1) Speech by representatives of Environment ministries▲(DAY1) Group photo▲(DAY2) Lecture session▲(DAY2) Workshop session▲(DAY3) Teaching Sessions with Elementary School Students▲(DAY3) Teaching Sessions with High School Students▲(DAY3) Onsite Exchange at the Green Climate Fund (GCF)▲(DAY3) Visit to the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ)▲(DAY4) Closing ceremony